Take a good look around, Miami Dolphins fans. This is the last Friday before the Dolphins list is overturned by the start of the 2021 league calendar year and, by extension, the opening of the free agency for all 32 franchises. As such, we’ll be making our own fake 2021 NFL sketch for the Miami Dolphins – with a handful of free agent predictions along the way, to help build a more complete picture of Miami’s depth chart, so how I made it possible maybe.
For this exercise, we used the sketch simulator The Draft Network – making selections for dolphins based on who was available with each selection in the simulation. But before the options are made, here are some free agent signatures to help complete the options made for our own 7-round pre-free agency.
Key signed free projects for agents
RB Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
Contract with the best assumption: 4 years, 34 million USD
Where there is smoke, there is fire. There is too much here to ignore that Miami will not be at least in the race. Jones is looking for a massive payday, but agents who run for free do not receive the same money as those who receive extensions from their first team. Jones’ commitments will place him as the 8th highest paid football runner; and Jones can enter the role sculpted by Myles Gaskin as a more dynamic version of the same player full time.
WR Juju Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers
Contract with the best assumption: 5 years, 65 million USD
Miami would like to receive a top receiver for free agencies, but the price for those like Kenny Golladay may turn out to be too rich for their taste. Smith-Schuster, on the other hand, came out of a season in which he averaged just 8.6 yards per catch in the Pittsburgh fast-forward game. These figures can help keep it in a price range that Dolphins are more comfortable with, given the reduced salary cap in 2021.
IDL Davon Godchaux, Miami Dolphins
Contract with the best assumption: In two years, $ 6 million Godchaux enters an unenviable market – there are a lot of players who can do similar things in the free agent class. Given this, Godchaux returns for a rotating role in a modest short-term business.
LB Elandon Roberts, Miami Dolphins
Contract with the best assumption: In two years, $ 4 million, Roberts saw the light go on like a hammer between blows for Miami on the stretch, before the injury interrupted his season. His relationship with coach Flores probably helps increase his chances of a return.
QB Colt McCoy, New York Giants
Contract with the best assumption: Miami, at one year, $ 2.5 million, needs a cheap and experienced backup defender to take the mantle of mentor for Tua Tagovailoa. McCoy checks all the boxes and can serve as a short-term stop for the reserve position.
P Matt Haack, Miami Dolphins
Contract with the best assumption: 2 years, $ 4.5 million. Haack enjoyed his best year as a professional in 2020. Miami needs to find someone to handle the points and there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about Haack after his growth last season.
LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Detroit Lions
Contract with the best assumption: Reeves-Maybin, 2, $ 3 million, has played as a deep player in Detroit for the past four seasons after being a pick in the 4th round by the Lions in 2017. Miami would benefit greatly his special team skills as a player he has accumulated over 1,100 special team photos in the last four years.
With a few key free agent vacancies filled, who is the Dolphins turning to in the 2021 NFL Draft in our 7-round pre-free agency project? Let’s start with a couple of choices in the first round.